The right card combination saves a frequent traveler $500–1,000+ per year in fees and earns free flights and hotel nights on top. Here's what I carry and why — after six years of full-time travel.
Affiliate disclosure: Some card links below may earn us a referral commission. This doesn't affect our recommendations — we only include cards we personally use or have analyzed in detail.
For US Travelers
Chase Sapphire Preferred — Best Overall Travel Card
The Sapphire Preferred remains the benchmark travel card for most US travelers. The sign-up bonus (typically 60,000–80,000 points) alone is worth $750–1,000 in travel. Points transfer to 14 airline and hotel partners including Hyatt, United, and British Airways. Annual fee: $95. No foreign transaction fees. Travel protections are genuinely useful.
Capital One Venture X — Best Premium Card
The Venture X entered the premium card market and immediately became competitive with the Amex Platinum at half the annual fee ($395 vs. $695). The $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus points effectively reduce the net cost to near zero. Good lounge access via Priority Pass and Capital One's own network.
Charles Schwab Debit Card — Best for ATM Withdrawals
Not a credit card — but essential. The Schwab Investor Checking account reimburses all ATM fees globally at the end of each month. Combined with a travel credit card (which you pay off in full monthly), this handles any situation where cash is required.
For UK Travelers
Chase UK Current Account
The Chase UK app account offers 1% cashback on purchases and no fees on foreign transactions or ATM withdrawals abroad. Free to open, no monthly fee. The best everyday card for UK travelers.
Amex Preferred Rewards Gold
For Membership Rewards points, which transfer to BA Avios and dozens of other programs. The welcome bonus regularly pays for long-haul Business Class upgrades with good transfer partner redemptions.
Global Essential: Wise and Revolut
These aren't credit cards but are essential travel tools. Wise offers mid-market exchange rates with low conversion fees. Revolut (on paid plans) offers fee-free exchange up to monthly limits. Both are useful for sending money internationally and holding multiple currencies simultaneously.
- Best US Travel CardChase Sapphire Preferred
- Best US Premium CardCapital One Venture X
- Best US ATM CardCharles Schwab Investor Checking
- Best UK Travel CardChase UK (no fees globally)
- Best Multi-Currency AppWise + Revolut
- Foreign Transaction Fees to AvoidAny card charging 2–3% abroad
The Simple Rule
Never use a card with foreign transaction fees abroad. They add 2–3% to every purchase. On a $3,000 trip, that's $60–90 in fees for doing nothing wrong — easily avoided with any of the cards above.